MK Dons have reached half time level with Barnsley, but may consider themselves unlucky not to lead following a dominant opening 45 minutes.

The Dons, who are looking to make up ground on League One's automatic promotion places, started brightly and came close to taking an early lead when Dean Bowditch rounded keeper Ross Turnbull, but his weak shot was cleared by George Williams.

However, Barnsley carried their own threat in attack and nearly notched a surprise goal when Milan Lalkovic's shot from a tight angle was saved by David Martin.

Carl Baker then fired wide for the hosts with a shot from the edge of the area, but the Dons were struggling to make their early chances count.

However, they came close to an opener just before the half-hour mark when the recalled Daniel Powell forced a save out of Turnbull.

The Dons thought that they had taken the lead when Dele Alli teed up Will Grigg, who found the back of the net only to see his effort ruled out for offside.

Alli then rattled the frame of the Barnsley goal after unleashing a fierce strike from distance that beat Turnbull, but not the left post.

With half time approaching, Baker tried to put the hosts in front only for his shot to drift narrowly wide of the Tykes goal.